Pak accuses India of sabotaging peace efforts

Islamabad: Pakistan has accused India of sabotaging peace efforts and putting the regional security and stability at stake by objecting to the inclusion of Kashmir issue in the bilateral dialouge.

Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said that Pakistan was having a clear view of peace in the region and having friendly relations with the neighbouring countries but unfortunately it had not been reciprocated by the other side, according to a statement issued here.

He said “the Indian government’s objection over consultation with Kashmiri leaders was unjustified”.

Last week, India-Pakistan ties hit a new low after Islamabad decided against sending National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz to New Delhi to hold discussions with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval.

The proposed talks were called off because of differences over the agenda proposed by Islamabad, and a planned meeting between Kashmiri separatists and Aziz.

India, Khan said, was trying to sabotage the efforts for peace on one pretext or the other and is putting regional security and stability at stake.

“The Kashmir issue was the major hurdle in the normalisation of relations between the two countries and establishment of peace in the region,” Khan said as he held talks with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London yesterday.

Khan said India must understand that the dialogue process could not proceed further without discussion on the Kashmir issue.

He said Pakistan would continue its efforts for peace in the region, but it would never accept hegemony or dominance of any country.